Resealable package for mixing

ABSTRACT

A resealable package for mixing two or more components, comprising a base, walls that extend from said base, whereby said walls are joined to each other such that an overall volume is defined that is able to accept a quantity of fluid, a fluid solid or gas, a folding section that folds such that the overall volume of the package is reduced, and a resealable opening.

This patent application has been made possible with the support of Artists Space, the Hessische Kulturstiftung and Olbricht Patent Attorneys and relates to a Master Patent for a series of package designs.

The invention relates to a resealable package according to claim 1 of the Master Patent.

It is a regular occurrence that a consumer must mix two or more components, which are then to be used, consumed or applied at a later stage. Due to their nature—whatever that may be—such components often cannot be supplied ready mixed—perhaps because they quickly degrade, set hard or become inconsumable shortly after the mixing process.

For example, a person wanting to treat their hair at home (for example, by dyeing) might have to mix some of the substances together right before the treatment process is carried out. If the user waits too long, then the treatment mixture loses its effectiveness. It is typically a very messy process and involves using lots of different utensils and containers to mix, prepare and apply the treatment mixture.

Another example might be improving the convenience of cocktail preparation. Many cocktails contain ingredients such as cream or milk. However upon mixing with alcohol, these can quickly curdle and ruin the appearance and taste of the drink. Furthermore, many cocktails contain components that need to be mixed sequentially in certain quantities. This can involve having to use many different containers, which can be impractical at a busy bar.

In another example, a consumer may want to prepare a milk shake or juices. Some milk shakes or juices contain many different ingredients (powder, milk, flavored chips, cream, fruit etc.) and can be messy and time-consuming to make.

There is therefore lacking in the state of the art a package solution that provides means for mixing together two or more components in a convenient and simple manner. A package that facilitates the quick and easy mixing of the components without the need for extra utensils, mixing containers or measuring containers is required.

Such a package should also be compact. The package must allow the components to be conveniently mixed at a later stage, but it also must not take up too much space before use. The space taken up by goods is an important consideration for their transport (and the cost thereof), and also for how they are arranged on shop floors and the like. Furthermore, if too much space is available inside the package, the substances contained inside could prematurely froth up during transport or handling. For cream, for example, this would lead to an over-incorporation of air.

This problem is solved by the inventive package according to claim 1, by the method of packaging a substance to be later mixed in such a package described in claim 13 and a method of mixing two components with such a package as described in claim 14.

Claim 1 describes a resealable package for mixing two or more components, comprising a base, walls that extend from said base, whereby said walls are joined to each other such that an overall volume is defined that is able to accept a quantity of fluid, a fluid solid or gas, a folding section that folds such that the overall volume of the package is reduced, and a resealable opening.

By providing a folding section that folds such that the overall volume of the package is reduced, the package can be made compact. Yet the package can also be opened out when needed, which has the effect of restoring the previously reduced volume of the package. Into this larger volume, through the resealable opening, component(s) may be added. These components can then be mixed together without mess or inconvenience. The fact that a resealable opening is provided ensures that the package is suitable for mixing components that have been added to it. If the opening were not resealable, then the user would have to seal the opening somehow themselves. This could result in the contents spilling out during the mixing process.

The package may exhibit preformed creases in the package walls that encourage the folding section to fold in a specific way. These creases may also help to inform the user how to unfold the package and make the unfolding process easier. These creases may also make folding of the package during the manufacturing process easier. These creases may be formed in the package in a manufacturing step, or after the package has been filled and the resealable opening closed. These creases may be situated so that the folding section folds onto the main body of the package. These creases may also serve to mark how much of certain components are to be added, to remove the need for measuring equipment and to make use of the package easier.

As the package might be designed for a particular purpose, such as for a hair dye company or for a beverage company, the exact volumes of the components to be mixed would be known by the manufacturer and it is therefore simple to form creases so that the package folds to in a manner appropriate for the final purpose—i.e. so that the amount the package volume is reduced by is appropriate, or so that the way the folding section folds (e.g. upwards, inwards, outwards etc.) is suitable for the final purpose.

The package may be additionally sealed in a step separate from incorporation of the resealable opening if desired. During the manufacturing process, a hole may be formed in the package material, for example by using a machine to stamp it in. The air may then be removed from the package by either folding or compressing the package, or sucking the air out through said hole. The hole may then be resealed with a foil adhesive tab. The resealable opening may then be fixed over the foil tab, for example by means of an adhesive. The foil tab has the advantage that should the outer seal be damaged, the contents of the package will not leak out.

Such a packaging can be manufactured and assembled, and then the overall volume partly filled with one of the components that are later to be mixed, so that the overall volume of the packaging contains a certain amount of component. Then a folding section can be folded onto the packaging body, which reduces the overall volume of the packaging and may also force air out of the packaging depending on whether the air has already been removed or not. The packaging might then be supplied to a distributor or to an end user, usually along with the additional components that are intended to be mixed with the substance already contained in the packaging. If it is desired that only air be incorporated into the substance in the packaging, then the packaging might be supplied with no additional parts.

Upon receiving the packaging, the end user may open the resealable opening and unfold the packaging so that the original overall volume is defined by the packaging. Initially air is sucked into the packaging as it is opened out and if the resealable opening has been opened. If it is only desired that air be incorporated (in the case of whipped cream, for example) then the resealable opening will simply be closed and the packaging shaken to mix the substance with the air.

If one or more additional components are to be added (which may be supplied in the required volume alongside the packaged component), these will be added through the resealable opening. The resealable opening is then closed and the packaging shaken to mix the components. More than one component may be added sequentially by simply opening the resealable opening, adding the next component, and then closing the resealable opening again.

This removes the need for extra measuring containers to measure out the amounts of the components and additional containers for decanting and pouring the mixed substance. When the mixing is complete, the mixture can be easily poured out or removed via the resealable opening of the packaging.

The resealable opening may have a particular form on its outer or inner surface, so that for example a funnel may be easily attached for adding the different components. The size and shape of the resealable opening can be chosen at will, but can for example be chosen to be appropriate for a particular use of the packaging. For example, a larger opening may be selected to make adding thicker pastes or gels to the packaging easier, which might be difficult through a small opening. Alternatively, the form of the resealable opening may itself be like a funnel.

The packaging may have two or more folding sections that permit dividing the packaging into three or more volumes. Should a large amount of packaging for the folding section be required, when it is expected that a large amount of additional component is to be mixed, it is ensured that the overall packaging is not overwhelmed by material on one of its sides, which might make it unstable or unwieldy. Furthermore, this has the aesthetic effect of a more symmetrical-looking packaging.

The resealable opening may also be formed to allow the insertion or attachment of a particular nozzle. If the packaging is to be used to hold particularly sensitive substances (that might be sensitive to being stored in air), the resealable opening may have a form that is suitable for making a connection with a nozzle that allows the filling of the packaging under inert conditions.

The folded section may be capable of being secured to a packaging wall, for example by means of an adhesive, a preformed tab or Velcro. This keeps the folding section out of the way during transport and on shop floors and prevents it from opening out or moving around.

In an advantageous embodiment the packaging is made substantially from a flexible material. Flexible materials are easier to process and manufacture, and are less susceptible to damage. They also make mixing less fluid substances (like pastes or gels) easier because the walls of the packaging can themselves be compressed, which is helpful where shaking alone would not be sufficient to promote mixing. In some embodiments the walls and/or base and/or folding section may be made from a non-flexible material but that is joined to the other sections of the packaging by a strip of flexible material, so that movement (or folding) of that part of the packaging is still possible.

The resealable packaging may be used for mixing liquids, pastes, gels, emulsions powders, granules, particles, gases or any other form of matter than is capable of flowing and any combination thereof.

To facilitate removal of the mixture, the packaging may comprise an additional opening that is formed for example as a spout. This opening may be resealable or non-resealable. If the provider of the packaging wants to promote a higher turnover of the packaging, he may opt for a non-resealable opening so that the packaging is only suitable for use once. Furthermore, the presence of an additional opening means that the contents will flow smoothly out of the packaging when both openings are open.

The means for sealing the resealable opening may comprise a screw-cap, a one-way valve, a zip lock, a cork, a stopper, a threaded cap, an attachment member, a non-threaded cap or a lightning-type closure. Any other design of opening may be used as long as it can be resealed.

The resealable opening may also comprise a vacuum valve, to which a vacuum pump may be attached. This vacuum valve may have a particular form to facilitate attaching a vacuum pump. It may also contain a one-way valve system to ensure that air does not leak back into the packaging after it has been sucked out. This has the particular advantage that, after agitation or mixing of the packaging contents has been carried out, excess air or all air can be sucked out of the mixture if its presence is undesired. This can be of use in particular in the mixing of glues, whereby the removal of air can improve the efficacy and finish.

Depending on the needs of the end user and practical and aesthetic requirements, the packaging material may be substantially rubber, polymer, flexible glass, a textile, card, paper, metal foil, or a composite material. A material resistant to thermal decomposition might be chosen so that the contents of the packaging may be heated. The material may also be chosen so as to be particularly suitable for recycling or to be easily disposable.

The walls of the packaging may be joined by means of adhesive, sewing, microwelding, crimping or heat sealing. The walls of the packaging may also be joined by a piece of flexible material.

In one embodiment of the resealable packaging, a substrate may be added along the preformed creases to keep dirt from collecting inside the creases of the packaging. This substrate may come away cleanly when the packaging is unfolded. This substrate may be a type of polymer (for example a silicone) or a simple aluminum foil that tears as the packaging is unfolded.

In one embodiment of the resealable packaging, the inside walls of the packaging have a resistant coating. This is particularly useful when corrosive or irritating components are to be mixed—for example, peroxide or ammonia for dyeing hair. This resistant coating can be resistant to acids, bases, water, organic solvents or inorganic solvents. Such a coating may comprise a polymer coating, a wax coating or a metal coating. Such a coating may also resist microbial growth through the incorporation of silver or copper.

In another embodiment of the resealable packaging, the inside volume of the container contains means to aid agitation of the mixture, for example mixing baffles, springs, a straw or tabs. These means may move around within the packaging during shaking, they may make the flow of the liquid within the packaging more turbulent or they may act to encourage dispersal (and possibly dissolution) of a substance in another substance within the packaging. The packaging walls or the base may be formed with projections (which may be stamped or formed into the packaging by a machine during manufacturing), which also serve to help the mixing process.

In an advantageous embodiment, the resealable packaging comprises a clear material, so that components can be observed during mixing. This may indicate to the user an appropriate time to stop mixing without the user having to continually open the resealable opening to check the state of the mixture. This clear material may simply form a window in the packaging. Alternatively, substantially the entire packaging may be made form a clear material, such as flexible glass or a polymer. The clear material may also comprise markings to help identify how much of certain components are to be added.

The folding section may be situated anywhere on the packaging. The resealable opening may also be situated anywhere in the packaging. However, it may be advantageous to have the resealable opening situated in the folding section to make the initial filling of the packaging with the first component easier. In cases where the resealable opening is not situated in the folding section, atmospheric pressure and gravity may cause the substance already contained in the packaging to flow down when the resealable opening is opened, so that the packaging opens out by itself.

The amount of packaging that the folding section comprises can be dictated by the amount of extra air (or other mixing substrate) required to be mixed—ensuring that the manufacturer can control the final outcome of a mixed product, as once the folding section is fully extended and re-sealed no extra air (or other components) can be added to the mix without opening the resealable opening and adding them.

The shape of the packaging or its individual sections may be tetrahedral, pyramidal, a prism, or any other 3-dimensional shape, as long as the folding of the folding section is still possible.

In many embodiments, the base comprises a flat surface, which allows the packaging to be stood on its own without it falling over. In some embodiments, the base does not comprise a flat surface and merely comprises the region at the base of the packaging where the walls meet.

The walls of the packaging may be separate pieces of material, or may comprise the same piece of material that has been folded, crimped etc. so as to define edges in the walls. The word “joined” must not necessarily be taken to mean that a plurality of separate walls are joined together—the packaging walls may comprise one piece of material.

The packaging may also comprise a cylindrical section, in which case only one wall might be present.

The base may comprise a separate piece of material that is joined to the wall(s), or may merely comprise the area in which the wall(s) are joined to each other (as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 for example). At the other end of the packaging, the folding section may cap off the top of the packaging to seal it.

A method of packaging a substance to be later mixed makes use of the improved characteristics of the inventive packaging to make supplying and stored pre-mixtures easier and more efficient. The method comprises putting a first component into the packaging of claim 1. The entire packaging will usually not be completely filled, so that the folding section may fold without the contents spilling out of the packaging. After filling the packaging, the folding section is folded down to reduce the volume of the packaging and thereafter the resealable opening is closed.

The packaging containing a first component may then be supplied to a shop or directly to an end user. The method may further comprise fastening the folding section to the packaging by means of an adhesive, a tab or a clip, so that the packaging is made more compact. The order of the steps of sealing the packaging and folding down the folding section is not fixed in the method. The folding section may be folded (which may result in air being expelled from the resealable opening) and then the resealable opening closed, or air may first be removed from the packaging, then the resealable opening closed and then the folding section folded. Alternatively, a first substance may be added to the packaging whilst it is still open, and then the top of the packaging closed, the resealable opening added, and the folding section folded, whereby the latter three steps may occur in any order.

The method may also comprise forming a hole in the packaging, which may be used to expel air before the folding section is folded. After the air has been removed, this folding section may be sealed. The folding section may be sealed with an adhesive foil tab. The resealable opening may then be fixed onto this tab, so that a backup seal is present. The folding section may then be folded down and optionally secured to the packaging. The folding section may be added at any point during the method.

A method of mixing a substance that has been packaged into the resealable of packaging of claim 1 is described by claim 14. This method allows a mixture to be created of two or more components without the creation of additional mess or usage of extra utensils or containers. Using this method makes it very easy to mix components, which eliminates the need to supply substances ready-mixed. Therefore stabilizers, emulsifiers and other additives are not necessary, which some consumers view as being unnecessary or detrimental to health. The method comprises opening a resealable opening of the packaging, unfolding a folding section of the packaging and closing the resealable opening. The packaging can then be moved in some manner, which has the effect of helping the components to mix.

If it is desired that more than just air be mixed with the substance contained within the packaging, the method may comprise adding a further substance or substances to the packaging, and then moving the packaging in some manner, which has the effect of helping the components to mix. These components may be added at once or sequentially. This method may be extended to as many substances as are required, in a sequential manner of mixing or a non-sequential manner of mixing, depending on the requirements of the substances to be mixed.

If an adhesive foil tab has been used, the method may also comprise piercing the foil tab so that the packaging can be filled with air or other substances.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show the use of a tetrahedral embodiment of the packaging.

FIG. 4 shows the use of another embodiment of the packaging.

FIG. 5 shows an internal view of one embodiment of the packaging.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the packaging with multiple folding sections.

FIGS. 7 to 10 show the use of a further embodiment of the packaging.

FIGS. 11 to 13 show the use of the packaging, where the packaging has the form of a triangular prism.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the inventive packaging (11) midway through being opened out or folded, whereby the arrow (4) shows the folding directions. This tetrahedral packaging comprises a base (1) where the four walls (3) of the packaging (11) meet. Preformed creases (2) can be seen in the walls (3) of the packaging (11), which define where the folding section (12) of the packaging (11) is to fold. The resealable opening (5) in this embodiment is situated on another side of the packaging (11) and cannot be seen in the figure.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the inventive packaging (11) is an opened-out state. In this embodiment, the resealable opening (5) takes the form of a cap. Arrow (15) shows putting a second component into the packaging (11) (be it air or another substance).

FIG. 3 shows the packaging (11) with the resealable opening (5) in a closed state, and arrow (8) shows the packaging (11) being agitated to help mix the components therein. Arrow (10) shows the overall volume of the packaging—i.e. the total volume of the packaging after it has been unfolded.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the packaging (11) that requires the folding section (12) of the packaging (11) to be pulled out laterally to be opened. The base (1) in this embodiment is situated on the bottom of the packaging and cannot be seen.

FIG. 5 shows an internal view of an embodiment of the packaging (11), whereby the inside surface of wall (3) has a resistant coating (6). Base (1) also has this coating but it is not shown in the figure for clarity. Agitation means (7) are also to be seen, which in this embodiment take the form of springs attached to the base (1) of the packaging.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the packaging (11) that comprises walls (3), a base (1) (not shown) and two folding sections (12, 13). Folding section (12) comprises a resealable opening (5), and folding section (13) comprises an opening (14), which may or may not be resealable.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the packaging (11) in a state as it might be received from a manufacturer or a seller, for example. The folding section (12) is folded down onto the packaging and the resealable opening (5) is closed.

FIG. 8 shows the folding section (12) of the packaging being opening out via arrow (4) before the resealable opening (5) is opened. Therefore, until the resealable opening (5) is opened, the inside air pressure of the packaging (11) will be lower than the outside and the body of the packaging (11) will not be open in its full volume.

FIG. 9 shows the resealable opening (5) being opened and the packaging (11) being filled with a component by arrow (15), which is to be mixed with whatever is contained in the packaging (11) already.

FIG. 10 shows the packaging (11) in its fully opened-out state where the packaging has its overall volume (10).

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the packaging (11) as it might be received from a manufacturer or a seller, for example. The folding section (12) is folded onto the packaging.

FIG. 12 shows the packaging (11) being opened out. The folding section (12) is pulled away from the wall (3) of the packaging (11) via arrow (4).

FIG. 13 shows the packaging (11) being filled with a component (Arrow (15)) and the resealable opening (5) being closed (and if applicable, opened again, if it is desired that components are added and mixed sequentially).

The invention is not limited to the previously described embodiments but rather can be developed in many ways, suggested by the content of the description and claims.

1 Base

2 Crease

3 Wall

4 Arrow

5 Resealable opening

6 Resistant coating

7 Agitation means

8 Arrowing showing direction of shaking

9 Hand of user

10 Overall volume of packaging

11 Resealable packaging

12 Folding section

13 Second folding section

14 Opening

15 Arrow 

1. A resealable package for mixing two or more components, comprising: a base, walls that extend from said base, whereby said walls are joined to each other such that an overall volume is defined that is able to accept a quantity of fluid, a fluid solid or gas, a folding section that folds such that the overall volume of the package is reduced, a resealable opening.
 2. The resealable package according to claim 1, whereby the package is made substantially from a flexible material.
 3. The resealable package according to claim 1, whereby the package has two or more folding sections that permit dividing the package into three or more volumes.
 4. The resealable package according to claim 1, whereby the components to be mixed are liquids, pastes, gels, emulsions powders, granules, particles, gases or any other form of matter than is capable of flowing and any combination thereof.
 5. The resealable package according to claim 3, whereby the package comprises an additional opening.
 6. The resealable package according to claim 1, whereby the resealable opening comprises a screw-cap, a one-way valve, a zip lock, a cork, a stopper, a threaded cap, an attachment member, a non-threaded cap or a lightning-type closure.
 7. The resealable package according to claim 1, whereby the resealable opening comprises a vacuum valve.
 8. The resealable package according to claim 1, whereby the package material is substantially rubber, polymer, flexible glass, a textile, card, paper, metal foil, or a composite material.
 9. The resealable package according to claim 1, whereby the walls of the package are joined by means of adhesive, sewing, microwelding, crimping or heat sealing.
 10. The resealable package according to claim 1, whereby the inside walls of the package have a resistant coating.
 11. The resealable package according to claim 1, whereby the inside volume of the container contains means to aid agitation of the mixture, for example mixing baffles, springs, a straw or tabs.
 12. The resealable package according to claim 1, wherein the package comprises a clear material, such that components can be observed during mixing.
 13. A method of packaging a substance to be later mixed in the package of claim 1, comprising: putting a first component into the package, folding the folding section of the package to reduce the volume of the package; and sealing the resealable opening.
 14. A method of mixing a substance that has been packaged into the resealable package of claim 1 with another component, comprising: opening a resealable opening of the package unfolding a folding section of the package; closing the resealable opening. 